I find that there is no better pleasure during the holidays than to have access to water, whether for swimming, relaxation or family sports. Some people prefer lakes or rivers, and our beautiful France is very rich in them, others will choose the seaside: iodised air, the cry of seagulls, sandy or pebble beaches, sunsets on the horizon...
Metropolitan France has more than 5,800 km of coastline, including 615 km on the Atlantic Ocean, from the Pointe Saint-Mathieu in Finistère to Spain. We are going to show you some of our favourites, which you will discover at the foot of your campsite, or during a walk.
The Corniche beach, at the foot of the Dune du Pilat
Not far from the Arcachon basin, in Gironde, the Corniche beach faces the Arguin bank, a paradise for migratory birds which rest there at low tide. There are two ways to get to the beach: slide down to the bottom of the Dune du Pilat, or take the stairs to Pyla-sur-Mer, to the north of the beach. Fine sand and relaxation await you!
For your next seaside holiday in Gironde, choose from around sixty campsites near the Dune du Pilat.
Herlin beach, Belle-Île-en-Mer, off the Morbihan coast
Located in Bangor, on the island of Belle-Île-en-mer, at the bottom of an aber (or ria), Herlin beach is bounded by high cliffs and is protected from the wind. This sandy beach is separated in two at high tide by a rocky outcrop. The current can be strong on Herlin beach and swimming is supervised in July and August from 1pm to 7pm.
To get there, you will find a car park with about 100 spaces 400 metres from the beach.
Discover this beach during your holiday in a mobile home by the sea at one of the 10 campsites in Belle-Ile-en-mer.
The beach of Loia Bay, in Hendaye, on the Basque coast
Only accessible by water, if you are lucky enough to have a boat, the bay of Loia (or Loya) is covered in white sand and bathed in turquoise water. Just a stone's throw from Hendaye's main beach, this is the most secret beach in the Atlantic Pyrenees, not least because access by land is... forbidden since 2019! The beach is, in fact, entirely preserved.
Enjoy the beach of the bay of Loia (from a boat?) during your camping holiday in Hendaye.
Beach of the Anse des Soux, on the island of Yeu, in the Vendée
The Anse des Soux, on the island of Yeu, to the west of the Pointe des Vieilles, is home to a magnificent little beach of fine white sand. Fairly uncrowded and unspoilt, it has remained wild. There is no road or parking nearby, you have to walk a little to reach it and enjoy the idyllic setting and the transparent water.
If you are on a camping holiday on the Ile d'Yeu, make a diversion for a special moment on this beach.
The beach of Ile Vierge, in Finistère
The Ile Vierge cove (which is not an island, but a peninsula located on the Crozon peninsula), also known as Pointe de Saint-Hernot, is one of the most westerly beaches in France. At the foot of the cliffs, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Finistère, with its fine white pebbles and its maritime pine trees. However, you will not be able to relax there: access to the beach has been closed since 2020, as the cliff is crumbling under the effect of erosion... and the footsteps of the (too many) hikers wishing to access the cove.
Discover it during your camping holidays at the sea on the Crozon peninsula
Miramar beach, Biarritz
Located in the extension of the Grande Plage de Biarritz (the favourite spot of surfers from all over the world), the Miramar beach is frequented by those who love peace and quiet. After a day of swimming and relaxing, admire the sun setting over the Pyrenees in the distance.
For your next camping holiday by the sea in the Basque country, you will find 1 campsite in Biarritz and about forty in the vicinity.
The Grands Sables beach, on the island of Groix, in Brittany
The Grands Sables beach is located on the island of Groix, in the Bay of Biscay, in Morbihan. It is the only convex beach in Europe. This immense and sublime beach of fine white sand and translucent blue water invites you to swim, sunbathe and build sandcastles.
Choose your campsite in Groix for a camping holiday in the Gulf of Morbihan.
Do you like camping by the sea?
In all, 2130 campsites are located by the sea in 2022, some of them close to beautiful beaches.
Even better than choosing a campsite by the sea, you can choose a campsite with direct access to the beach on the Atlantic coast, for more comfort of course, and more safety for your family. Choose your destination:
•Campsites with a direct access to the beach in New Aquitaine, and choose Gironde, Pyrénées Atlantiques, Charente-Maritime or Landes!
•Campsites with direct access to the beach in Pays de Loire, between Vendée and Loire-Atlantique, you are spoilt for choice.
•Campsites with direct access to the beach in Brittany, for camping holidays in Morbihan or Finistère